The effect of quetiapine on treatment of experimental acut spinal cord injury

The importance of treatment modalities against damage on spinal cord at seconder phase of spinal cord injury is well known. So, numerous experimental studies have been focused on this phase. Effectiveness of Quetiapine (Serequel©), a 5-HT2 receptor blocker atypical antipsychotic agent, on apoptosis that is one of the major mechanisms of secondary damage on spinal cord was researched in our study. 32 female Wistar rats were seperated to 4 equal groups. Total laminectomy was performed at T5-7 level and spinal cord injury was produced by using Yasargil FT280T temporary aneurysm clip. Each rat was daily injected ip with Quetiapine (10mg/kg/day) at 1 day (D-I) and seven day (D-II) groups. Control groups of 1 day (K-I) and 7 day (K-II) were performed no treatment. At the end of follow up periods all animals were killed and spinal cords were removed. Apoptotic cells were evaluated by using immunohistochemical technique (TUNEL) in injured spinal cord specimens. We showed that, Quetiapine had a protective effect against apoptosis of injured D-I and D-II spinal cord groups. All the results were significant statistically. In addition, we saw that, this agent had more protective effect on gray matter cells than white matter cells at 7 day group(D-II). As a result, our findings were suggested that Quetiapine had protective effect on secondary damage of spinal cord injury and it could be a versatile treatment agent by thinking its effectiveness on posttraumatic stres disorder, depression and agitation.